'I've dreamt of playing at Anfield'

Udinese defender Andrea Coda has admitted he has 'dreamed' of playing at Anfield, as the Zebrette travel to Liverpool in the Europa League.

Udinese defender Andrea Coda has admitted he has 'dreamed' of playing at Anfield, as the Zebrette travel to Liverpool in the Europa League.

The 27-year-old centre-back has called Thursday's opponents a 'historic team' and believes the game against the Premier League club makes up for the fact they failed to qualify for the Champions League for the second successive year.

“Liverpool are a historic team,” he told Tuttoudinese.it. “It is a fantastic stadium that when you're a child, you dream of playing in.

“The game mitigates somewhat the failure to qualify for the Champions League. We are ready for the challenge. We have a tough group, but is an important competition that must be honoured.”

He concluded by remarking on the poor start the season the team has made, having won just one of their first six games.

“We did not start well, but we have not lost in five matches – even if that run lacks some victories.”